Choosing between the Discover it Cash Back (no annual fee) and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card ($149/yr) comes down to where you spend most. Both cards can deliver real value — let’s break it down, then run your numbers to find the winner.
5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% on everything else. Cashback Match doubles all cash back in first year.
Perfect if: You want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.
Apply NowStrongest in travel at 3%. 3x on Southwest purchases, 2x on groceries and restaurants up to $8,000/year.
Perfect if: You want a strong rewards rate with no spending caps to worry about.
Apply Now| Feature | Discover it Cash Back | Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $149 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | None | 50,000 points after $1,000 spend in 3 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% |
| Base Reward Rate | <strong>1.0%</strong> | <strong>1.0%</strong> |
| Travel Rewards | 1% | <strong>3%</strong> |
| Key Benefits | 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% on everything else. Cashback Match doubles all cash back in first year. | 3x on Southwest purchases, 2x on groceries and restaurants up to $8,000/year. |
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card wins on travel.
The $149/year fee difference means Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card needs to earn at least that much more in rewards to justify its cost.
Not sure which fits your life? Enter your spending below and we’ll do the math.
Enter your typical monthly spending and we’ll show you exactly which card earns more — including fees and bonuses.